On this page, I will eventually put a detailed history of
the movement to make Louie Louie the state song of Washington. But for
now, here's the summary from the liner notes that came with "The Best of Louie
Louie, vol. 2" (Rhino Records, 1988).
And below that are links to some of the official documents related to this
movement.

Meanwhile, in the state of Washington, more
impetus was brewing to push the history of 'Louie Louie' from the unusual to the
implausible. Resolution No. 85-12 to the Legislature of the State of Washington
by Whatcom County Commissioner Craig Cole called for 'Louie Louie' to be
proclaimed the official state song. Citing Washington's need for a 'contemporary
theme song that can be used to engender a sense of pride and community, and in
the enhancement of tourism and economic development', Cole's resolution
'respectfully memorializes the Washington State Legislature to proclaim 'Louie
Louie' as the official state song', and to name a newly created county 'Louie
Louie County'. It also petitions Governor Booth Gardner' to take a public stand
on the issue'. (A column in the March 12, 1985, Seattle Times stated that 'a
spokesman for the governor said Gardner has never heard either [state song]
'Washington, My Home' or 'Louie Louie'. The governor is to listen to both songs
in the next few days.')

Support for Cole's resolution from the
governor or from 'Washington, My Home' composer Helen Davis (then aged 79) was
not exactly earth-shattering, resulting in Senate Resolution 1985-37 which dodgingly declared April 12, 1985 'Louie Louie Day'. Support for Cole's
resolution from the voting populace and the media, however, was significant, and
several thousand people attended a 'Louie Louie' rally that April day to view
performances by Paul Revere And The Raiders, The Wailers, and The Kingsmen. The
following Sunday, April 15, 1985, a Seattle affair featured the premiere
performance of a new, Washington-flavored lyrics specially penned by Berry.
Berry, in tones similar to Dr. Frankenstein's when he
realized the cosmic significance of his creation, gasped, 'How far can this
thing go?' While Washington's State Senate passed Cole's resolution, the House
did not, and 'Louie Louie' did not become the official state song.

Whatcom County Resolution no. 85-12
- "A Memorial of the Whatcom County Council to the Legislature of the State of
Washington to Proclaim "Louie Louie" as the Official State Song" (introduced and
passed 7 March 1985)